The latest on California politics and government

August 13, 2012

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's decision to name Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate probably won't change the outcome of the race in blue California, but it could bring even more Golden State cash into the campaign.

Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee, already has a base among California donors, campaign finance records show.

More than 1,500 Californians have contributed to Ryan's 2012 bid for re-election in a Wisconsin congressional district nearly 2,000 miles away, sending at least $210,231 into his account. California trails only Ryan's home state in the number of donors, and trails only Wisconsin and neighboring Illinois in the total amount of contributions.

California, which is not considered to be in play for the November presidential election, serves as a major source of cash for both campaigns. Californians contributed more than $90 million to presidential campaigns as of early June.

See a database of Californians who donated to Ryan's congressional bid to date: